A New Post, Finally!

Well, I guess I haven't really kept up with my blogging like I should have. Actually, there have been a few times that I would sit down and start to write a blog, I even finished a few of them, but then decided not to post them. I guess a lot of the time I'm just writing blogs to kind of put my thoughts on paper, so to speak. But I think I will post this one.

A lot has happened since I last blogged, but not much has happened that is really worthy of reading about. The summer is almost over, which is bizarre, it feels like it just started. I haven't really done much this summer except look for a job. Jobs are kind of scarce lately and to be honest I was starting to feel a little depressed there for a while, especially when four jobs in a row didn't work out, four jobs that I really really wanted that is. But today I think I finally got a job. At least it looks really promising. I will be working at an orchard grating fruit and doing school tours up until Christmas. I'm kind of excited. I think it will be a lot of fun.

Last Sunday was Michael's last day at the church. He got a full time teaching position at Lenewee Christian School. They are in the process of getting a house and are really excited. I'm not sure who they are going to get to replace him, but we won't be going there to church any ways. It's a lot of change but I'm excited. We're going to try a few different churches here in town. I think it will be fun to meet some people my own age here in town.

I'm still working on my application for Hillsdale, I'll be attending, hopefully, after Christmas. My future seems really uncertain, but that's okay. It just adds some mystery to my life. : ) You know, I've come to realize that it doesn't really matter if my future is uncertain. I'm not the one who has to worry about my future. The future and the past are the two areas in my life that I have no control over, and that's alright. I don't have to be in control of everything, right? All I can really do is take one day at a time and let God take care of my future and forgive me for my past mistakes. All I can do is live today in such a way that when I look back I don't have any regrets. I'm not really concerned about my future, which is strange now that I think about it. In fact, I'm a little excited to see what happens. Man, that's a good feeling! To feel excited rather than apprehensive about the future. You should try it sometime, it's good for your health too. : )

Home, Sweet, Home!

Well, the end of the school year has arrived and I am finally back home! I can't believe that I already have a year of college behind me. It's crazy!!! Final exams ended last Tuesday and then Wednesday night was the start of camp meeting at GBSC. Blake Jones, Knox Bullock and Wingrove Taylor were the speakers. It was a really good camp meeting! My mom and dad came down on Friday to help me pack. Camp meeting ended Sunday and Monday morning I left to go back home. It was kind of bittersweet. I was ready to go home but, at the same time, it was hard knowing I wasn't going to be coming back. But I feel I'm doing the right thing. And it's not like I'm never going to see everyone. I had to promise so many people that I would keep in touch and would come for a visit every once in a while, which I plan to do as often as possible. I really am going to miss everyone there, they were all so good to me.

Well, my plans for the summer include working, working and... working. : ) I am currently waiting to hear from the Walberg Campaign to see if they have a position open. I received an e-mail and I e-mailed them back today to maybe set up an interview. I really hope I get this job! But, if I don't I guess I will have to keep looking. I might even get an occasional babysitting job. Jordana said she would be more than willing to have me watch the kids every once in a while. Oh yeah, did you know I'm an aunt again!?! Tuesday, May 13 around 7 o'clock pm Seth and Jordana had a little boy, Keaton Bradley Arnold. He is so cute!! I wasn't able to be there when he was born, so I didn't get to see him until yesterday. But that's okay.

I'm planning on going to Hillsdale for the spring semester. So that will give me plenty of time to get a job and save up some money. So when I start going to Hillsdale my life will consist of work and school. I really think my social life will be next to nothing when I start college. : ) Oh well, that's life right? I really don't think it will be that bad. I'm actually looking forward to going to Hillsdale. And, as crazy as this may sound, I can't wait to find a good job either. Well, I think that's about it for now. Talk to you all later!!

Inadequacy

In chapel Monday, President Avery spoke about feeling inadequate. He showed a few video clips that really struck me. I tried to put them on here, but I haven't figured out how to yet. So if you would like to go watch them here are the links. They are extraordinary!!!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0y2IMDhvcg0y2IMDhvcg and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhl6T_rqbpg I have so much and yet I focus on what I don't have or what I am not! How selfish can you get!!

Not many know yet that I have made the decision to go to Hillsdale College next year instead of coming back to God's Bible School. It was a tough decision. I wasn't sure what to do and no matter how much I prayed that God would show me, it just didn't seem like He was. Then, in my 7:55 am Life of Christ class, Dr. Phil said something that really struck me. He was talking about faith and hearing the voice of God. And he said "God will not let you miss out on a once-in-your-life opportunity just because you were not sure if it was His voice or not. When you come to a cross road and you don't know what to do you say, 'God I want to go this way but if you want me to go that way I will'. Then you wait. And if you still receive no answer you go the way you want, because God does work through our desires, and say, 'God, if this is wrong, close the door.'" So that is what I did. That day I scheduled a visit to Hillsdale Campus for over spring break. Well, to make a long story short. My dad and I went to the campus and both of us left there feeling like this was the right thing to do. As my dad put it, before we were just looking through a crack in the door, now the door seemed to have swung wide open. What does that have to do with the chapel service about inadequacy? A lot!!

I'm scared! I'm not sure I can do what will be required of me. Oh, yeah, I'll give my best, but will it be good enough? You see, I don't what to just to well, I want to exceed at this. I feel called by God to go into politics. Don't ask me why. I'm not sure myself. I don't understand why God wants me to do this. But I do know that I am doing this for Him so therefore I don't want it to be a halfway job. It has to be better than my best. So, no I don't feel adequate enough for the job. I don't think I can do it. But then if the people in these clips can do what they are doing, then I can do this. Nick Vujicic has become an inspiration for me. To hear him talk is amazing! And he's right! I can't do this on my own and I'm not even going to try! "Trusting God is where the victory lies" (Nick Vujicic). If I am going to have victory in my life; If I am going to succeed, to make a difference in this world for Christ, then I must put my trust in God. That's how Monday's chapel ties in with my life. That's how it helped me. As the year draws to a close, I know there are others out there who are faced with their own decisions and don't know what to do. Well know this, You do Not have to do this on your own! Thanks for letting me preach! : ) Enjoy the wonderful spring weather!!!

P.S.
Sorry I haven't kept everyone update lately. I haven't really had that much time. And then when I do write I preach!! But I guess I did kind of give an update. Talk to you all later!!

Tag, Your it!!!

I've been tagged! So here are a few things about me.

1) What was I doing 10 years ago today? probably what most eight year old do when there is nice weather. Ride my bike, roller-blade, etc.

2)5 things on my to-do list. Print off a few papers, clean my room, go to the store, get my glasses fixed, and put my air conditioner back in my room!!!

3)Snacks that I enjoy. I'm like my mom, anything chocolate is best

4)Things I would do if I were a billionaire.Pay off our house, pay off our car, pay my college tuition, buy my mom a bakery and my dad an old car to fix up and a place to fix it up.

5)3 of my bad habits. Being to quick to give my opinion, not putting things back in their proper place and procrastinating

6)5 places I have lived. Tecumseh, MI, Tecumseh, MI, Cincinnati, OH, Tecumseh, MI and can you guess, Tecumseh, MI

7)5 jobs that I have had. Babysitter, Cashier, Volunteer campaigner, secretary, babysitter

Okay. Now I tag Sam McConkey, Leanna Martin, and Melissa Phelps. Have fun!

A good break!

Well, I leave to go back to Cincinnati today! I'm really not ready to go back, but I know I have too and I don't have that much longer before we get out for summer. I can't believe how fast this year has gone by!! I have really had a good year though. God has been good to me and has supplied my needs. I have had a good time at home! The other day me and my mom decided to build a snowman. Actually, mom decided she wanted to build a snowman. Thursday morning I had just woke up and was coming out of my room and my mom said, "Let's go build a snowman!" "Can I have time to wake up?" I asked. So she let me wake up a little and she even gave me a little time to eat breakfast before we headed outside to build a snowman. Then we ran across a little problem. It had just snowed the night before and the snow was still a little to powdery to be able to pack round balls and roll them. So, we improvised! We made a snowman laying down. We used potatoes for the eyes, carrots for the nose and buttons and skittles for the mouth. It actually turned out pretty cute and it was a lot of fun doing it. We even made a sign to kind of give the reason for him laying down. It read, "You stand up all winter," we thought we were clever! We named him Charlie. Poor Charlie though. The next day we let my dog out and forgot about her eating Charlie. Well, when we let her back in we went outside to see if there was anything left. There was, she only ate the skittles and the funny thing is Charlie still has a mouth, it's about two inches deep though. Bailey, my dog, scooped out the skittles leaving a big hole where his mouth used to be! Now, there isn't much left of him at all because it rained and most of the snow is melting away. Oh well, we had fun doing it.

I also got to see everyone from Bird Lake this weekend. Saturday their church was having a basketball tournament. They have enough people playing to be able to have four full teams and the teams played against each other all afternoon. It was a lot of fun to go and see everyone, but when I left I felt like I really didn't have enough time to see everyone. So, Sunday night I went to Bird Lake for their evening service. The thing is to be able to go I used up all the money I had to take back with me. I really didn't have that much in the first place but my dad didn't really want me to go back to school without any money. My dad told me it was my decision, if I really wanted to go see everyone that was fine but that would leave me with no money, since Bird Lake is an hour away and gas prices are so high. Well, I decided I really wanted to go and I would just trust God to provide for me in the next week. Well, I didn't have to wait long! You know, God is really good!! He loves us so much that every once in a while He spoils us. He knew how much I wanted to go and see everyone and He also knew how much I was going to need money when I headed back. Well, today my grandpa was going to take me shopping for clothes but decided that since I still had some homework to finish and to pack that he would just give me the money. He gave me enough to fill my tank and still leave me enough for laundry money and spending money, more spending money than I really need. Isn't God great!! I got to see all my friends, twice, and I don't have to go back to school completely broke! Well, I hope to be able to come home in a couple of weeks for the Bird Lake Spring Drama and then a couple of weeks after that I will be home for a few days for Spring Break! This year is really going by fast! Hope everyone has a great rest of the week. God Bless!

Hello Once Again!

Well, I have been meaning to update my blog again and I just never got around to it. A few things have happened since I last blogged. First, about three weekends ago a friend of mine from the Akron, Ohio area came to Cincinnati for a few days to visit. We had an awesome weekend. We even had a picnic in the middle of winter, how cool is that! Pardon the pun. It was a very interesting experience. Then the following weekend me and a couple of my friends, Sam and Rochelle, went to my house for a Casting Crowns concert. That was a lot of fun! It was a very good concert. I was very impressed with them. I had seen them in concert before and had been impressed with them then but this time I got to see more of them than before. I was impressed by the fact that the lead singer on more than one occasion would stop and say a quick prayer before he would sing. Later on in the concert the lead singer, Mark Hall, said that before the concert he and the rest of the band went through the rows of seats praying for the people that would be coming to hear them, then he asked if we would mind them praying with us now that we were there. They spent the next fifteen to twenty minutes praying with us. I had never seen that before at a concert. It was very refreshing. They really made you feel like they were doing this as a ministry not just for the fame. Well, the concert was on Friday and we went home on Sunday. The following Wednesday was the beginning of Mid-Winter Break, so I now I am home until March 3. I was so happy to get home! Janette came and stayed at my house for a couple days and we had a blast. I got to babysit my niece, Emma, a couple days as well. I really have been having a good break. I have pretty much done nothing and it has felt so good!!

I cannot wait until Summer!! I have some exciting things planned for this summer. For one, I have applied for job that I am hoping I will get. I think I have a pretty good chance of getting it though. Two summers ago I worked on a campaign for Tim Walberg who was running for US Congress. I ended up working mostly for his wife, because she took a liking to me and wanted me to help her and keep her company when she was stuck at the house doing paper work or planning fundraiser dinners. I really enjoyed working with her and we became pretty good friends. Well, whenever she sees my mom she always asks about me. Recently she asked my mom if she thought I would be interested in working on their campaign this summer, and if I was to tell me to send in an application. So that is exactly what I did. I really hope I get it. It would be so much fun to work on the campaign as more than just a volunteer. That's one thing I have planned for this summer. I am also planning on going to a few different camps. My parents are both planning on taking a few days vacation this summer so we can all go to the Rock Lake Bible Methodist Family Camp for the whole time. This past year was our first year there and it was so much fun! I can't wait to go back there again this year. Then the week after Rock Lake I am wanting to got to the Appalachian Youth Camp in Pennsylvania. Janette goes as a counselor and she said I could stay with her which will be a blast. The only thing is whenever we stay the night somewhere together we never end up going to bed very early. We always seem to stay up until three or four o'clock in the morning talking. You would think that we would run out of things to talk about but we never seem to. I just can't wait until this summer!!

Well, I guess that is about it for now. I do have one more thing that I would like to share though. For the past couple of weeks I have been studying Jeremiah 29 for my devotions. Verses 10-14 have been a real encouragement to me, but really the whole chapter has. It takes place when the children of Israel are in captivity in Babylon and God sends them a message. He tells them to go ahead and settle down, build houses, get married, have families, and when their time there is up He will let them know and will bring them out. I'm the kind of person who likes to plan it all out. When I'm planning a weekend with friends, I don't really worry that much about the details, we can just go with the flow. But when it comes to my life I like to have it all planned out. Recently I have been struggling with the decision of whether I should go two or four years at GBS. As of right now, I am going with two, but I'm not sure that in two years I will decide to go another two. And that bothers me because I want to know NOW what I am going to do. When I read Jeremiah 29 it was almost as if God was telling me to just live my everyday life and when it was time for me to move on He would let me know. So that's what I'm going to do. I'm going to go one day at a time and trust God to tell me where He wants me to be and when. Well, everyone, stay warm and enjoy the snow while it lasts! Bye for now!!

Smile!

The other day I was on my way up to Mr. Profitt's office and I passed a fellow student who was sweeping the stairs. He said "hello" and I gave him my usual reply with a smile. He stopped sweeping and asked me why I was smiling. "Everytime I see you, you are smiling. Why are you such a smiley person? What makes you smile?" I was a little caught off guard. Why did I smile? I told him it was because I like it when I receive a smile. A smile somehow makes someones day brighter and why should I be the one to make they're day bad just because I didn't smile. But is that really the reason? I thought about that for the rest of the day and have thought about it on more than one occasion since then. Why do I smile? I don't always feel like smiling. In fact there are somedays where smiling is the last thing in this world that I feel like doing, but do you really have to feel like smiling just to smile? And why does it matter if I smile anyways? Do people really care whether I smile or not? I once did an experiment for psychology on smiles. I found this little test on line where you watched twenty different people smile and after each one you had to check whether it was a real or fake smile. The day I found the test I really wasn't in the best of moods, but by the time the test was over I found myself smiling and in a better mood. That gave me an idea for my own experiment. I had a few other people take the test and afterwards I asked them if they had found themselves smiling or in a better mood then when they had started. Most said they did find themselves smiling back. So, I guess that brings me back to the question, "Does it really matter whether or not you smile?" I think it does. But most of the time I find myself smiling at someone and I don't even realize it. So why do I smile, if not just to make others smile? "Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God: ~ Psalm 146:5" Maybe that's why I smile. : ) Are you smiling?